Let me first tell you that I wrote this article a few days ago when the topic was at it’s most relevant point. I waited anxiously for my regular posting day to weigh in on the subject and I hope you grant me the courtesy of expressing my opinion on the matter.
Baseball is a game built upon integrity, morals, respect and without fans it likely wouldn’t be the institution that it has grown to become. America’s past time, you know, the game where a father takes his son to the park to watch the very heroes whose poster stands pinned to his bedroom door.
As a true die hard Metropolitan fan, I have a major bone to pick with some of the arrogant so called “Mets fans” who have dwelled the confines of Shea Stadium thus far in 2008. The booing has reached epic proportions, not so much in size and quantity, but for the pure fact that they are based on nothing more than stupidity.
Booing Carlos Delgado for weeks on in, though statistics bear out he deserved every boo birds wrath, must come with the realization that Delgado is not going to kiss and make up on your terms. He hits two towering bombs and now it’s suddenly alright for you to cheer him? Even call him out for a curtain call?
Delgado had every reason to shun the very same crowd that did the exact same thing to him for the better part of a season and a half now. I tip my cap to Delgado, the statement he sent is more fitting for a curtain call than anything he could have done on the field. After all, he hit two home runs, isn’t that just his job, he is expected to go out their and sending towering home runs into the night sky.
Had Delgado submitted to the compassionate cheers of the fans, and gone onto strikeout with the bases loaded the next game against Pittsburgh, the boo’s would have returned. He knew that as well, he was not read to come out, because he didn’t want to get ahead of himself. I root for the name on the front of the jersey before anything sewn onto the back, but Delgado was absolutely justified in his course of action.
Johan Santana renewed championship aspirations in Flushing over the winter. After a mediocre debut at Shea against the Brewers three weeks ago, he was paraded with boo’s as he departed from the mound. I was in attendance for that game and I had to leave. Not in aggravation because the score of the game had gotten out of reach, but due to the fact that I could not tolerate being surrounded by absolute senselessness.
If Santana wasn’t dawning blue and orange, no fan at all would have a morsel of hope this season. Had he not been acquired, there would be reason to even be upset about losing a game, because they ultimately would not win anything this year without his services. A faithful fan would have remained quiet, or applauded and said get em’ next time.
Brian Schneider has been stellar behind the plate before inuring his thumb. He has batting over .300 for the majority of April all while handling the National Leagues best pitching staff in terms of earned run average. With each Schneider base hit follows the “Paul Lo Duca,” chants. Are you kidding me? To be brutally honest Paul Lo Duca sucks. He is a steroid abuser, and the emotional attachment to him is a bit overrated. He is awful defensively and his hitting has been on a steady decline.
Scott Schoeneweis is rained on with jeers every time Willie summons him from the bullpen. No matter what score may be, or what situation may present it self, the man has been booed ever since opening day introductions. He had a bad first half last season, but since has been quite reliable. He has pitched to an ERA of under 2.20 and has gotten some of the most intimidating lefties out in clutch situations, but the geniuses out at Shea insist on booing because of a bad three months in 2007.
I’m not going to say that I am this perfect fan who does no wrong while rooting for my team. Who doesn’t get pissed and want to throw the remote through the TV as if it were a blazing fastball? But the fact is you have to be wise when you pick your battles. Booing is fine, many times is fitting, but not when the individual you are booing is performing at a high level. Perhaps the only people deserving of being taunted and booed are the foolish fans, or so they claim to be.
